Mr Hamilton also criticised an Ulster Bank analysis which suggested uncertainty around the UK's trading relationship could deter investment.

He said it was "completely disconnected from our sales proposition".

Earlier, Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster said many of the largest recent investments had been service centres for the headquarters of UK and US firms and were not reliant on EU market access.

Before the referendum, major Northern Ireland employers including Bombardier, Moy Park and Citi said they would prefer a remain vote.

When Brazilian firm JBS bought Moy Park in 2015, its chief executive said it "definitely will be for us a platform for further expansion in the European market going forward".